Mornings are the best time to kickstart your energy and charge the day with intention and vivacity. What energy, you ask? If you’re the type of person who moves a little sluggishly before noon, you might be surprised by how much better you feel with a bit of dedicated effort. Sure, it’s not easy to pull yourself out of a warm, cozy bed and stretch those sleepy limbs, but there are tons of benefits offered by a healthy morning routine.
So, what’s the secret to success? Here are five morning habits you should do after waking up to make the most out of your mornings and pave the way for a great day.
1. Skip Social Media
Too many of us are guilty of staring at our phones first thing in the morning by scrolling through social media posts. Use your time more efficiently and focus on your life rather than those of whose accounts you follow. There’s so much you miss out on by being glued to your phone, so resist the urge and defeat the distractions upon immediately waking up. It’s just not worth it—get up and start moving! If you have a hard time breaking this bad habit, try to replace it with an act of mindfulness such as stretching instead.
2. Accomplish a Task
Starting your day by accomplishing an easy task, such as making your bed or brushing your teeth, is a healthy morning habit to get your momentum going. It gives you a small sense of pride and encourages you to keep going, leading to better productivity. It also just looks and feels better, reinforcing the fact that little things matter in life. It might sound small, but these habits can be life-changing.
3. Meditate
On that note, meditation is a great skill to practice every morning—just ask most successful people. Not only does it help improve your concentration and focus in life, but it also promotes mental clarity, emotional positivity, personal enlightenment, and overall well-being.
It’s something you’ll need to train your brain to do, because drowning out your thoughts is not an easy task—especially if you’re filled with anxious thoughts about the day ahead or the night before. But with dedicated time and practice, you’ll begin to see the benefits of meditating for as few as five minutes each morning, and how well it can help you manage those types of stressors.
You don’t need to be a spiritual guru to master your mind, though; anyone can do it from anywhere at home. One great method is to simply focus on your breath with rhythmic inhalation. Slowly take big gulps of air and feel your diaphragm expand, then gently release each breath to the same count. Recognize any thoughts that pop up as merely clouds passing by in the sky, return to your breath, and focus on how your body feels in that exact moment. There are also mindfulness coaching apps that can help guide your process.
Another effective strategy to manifest the life you want for yourself is by starting each day with a morning affirmation. Some powerful examples of affirmative statements you can declare to improve your happiness, confidence, and success include:
- “I am surrounded by people who love me”
- “I choose to focus on the positives”
- “I have the knowledge to make good decisions for myself”
Every day is a great day to be alive, so choose gratitude and live a life of abundance.
4. Eat a Wholesome Breakfast
They said it right: breakfast is the most important meal of the day. You need a hearty meal to give you the energy to sustain your body throughout the day, and nobody can concentrate on a task with a grumbling stomach. Make time for a nutritious meal every morning before heading out the door that’s filled with whole grains, healthy fats, fruits, and protein.
5. Take Healthy Supplements
You should also make it a point to take essential vitamins and minerals every morning to give your body a boost. There are many natural supplements that promote improved vitality, from CBD pills to St. John’s Wort, so explore all your options to find the right fit.
With these morning habits, you’re guaranteed to live each day more meaningfully.